Hear Him

How well do you listen? Since Mister Bill is hearing impaired, repeating myself is part of an ordinary day. I admit it is frustrating, however, I try to be patient because his not-hearing isn't by choice ... at least most of the time. How well do you hear God? The Prophet Elijah stood with deliberation, listening for God: "And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper." (1 Kings 19:11-12 ESV). Isn't it just like us to expect phenomenal things like wind, earthquake and fire to hear from God? It is often, however, in a faint whisper. At this point in my life, my hearing is still pretty good but even without actually hearing Mister Bill, I usually know what he will say or has said. Why is that? Because I've lived with him for more than fifty years; we've spent time together; we've grown to know one another; we're intimately acquainted with one another's thoughts and ways. Let me suggest if you are not hearing the faint whisper of God in your life, it most likely is because you are not regularly reading His Word, enjoying fellowship with Him in prayer and worship. Those who make a habit of spending time with The Father hear His voice. Yes, He can speak in the winds-earthquakes-fires of life but those times may simply be His way of getting your attention - making His Presence known. Those who are in relationship with Jesus (The Son) will know God (The Father); they hear Him continually in a myriad of times, circumstances, situations and ways. Draw near to Him ... hear Him. 

Love His Word

Family reunions were a big part of my childhood - the annual gathering of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins ... and oh, of course, the food! After the initial greetings - many of which was sheer endurance - us cousins ran off to see what we could get into. The Book of Nehemiah tells of a long-awaited family gathering: after seventy years of Babylonian captivity, once back in their homeland "all the people gathered together as one man at the open square ... and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding ... then he read from it ... from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and women, those who could understand; and all the people listened carefully to the Book of the Law." (From Nehemiah 8:1-3 AMP). From early morning to mid-day, the people listened to the reading of God's words. Recent studies tell us the average adult sustained attention span is 15-20 minutes before needing a break; however, on topics of high-interest, the attention span is significantly increased. The psalmist wrote, "Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." (Psalm 119:97 ESV). Herein lies a fundamental problem: we lack a deep longing for what God has to say, and why is that so? That lack-of-love for God's words is rooted in a genuine lack-of-love for God Himself. Jesus said the heart remains true to its greatest treasure: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21 ESV). What a strong reminder to those who love The Lord with all their heart, soul and might (Deuteronomy 6:5) - that God's words are a treasure to read, listen to and embrace. Those words are the very breath of God; yes, they are life-giving. The simple profound truth is if we truly love God, we ... love His Word.

He Goes Before Us

Something my Dad made a habit of was to speak kindly of people. I must admit, at times when he spoke well of one who had offended him, I could only stare and be amazed. That is an honorable characteristic that I am still working on! Of the many things we know about God, one that I see often in my life (and others) is how God always goes before us! I could not begin to number the times I have faced uncertainty, stepped out in a walk of faith only to discover God was way out in front of me! Perhaps one of the best illustrations of this is in the life of Joseph. The victim of some cruel brothers, he suffered slavery and years of imprisonment in Egypt yet in-the-end God worked evil for good. Appointed governor over Egypt, God used Joseph to save his family and countrymen during a terrible famine. These were some of the last recorded words of Joseph to his brothers: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present outcome that many people would be kept alive." (Genesis 50:20 AMP). What spiritual understanding this man Joseph had of God's sovereignty and providence! When we wake each morning, we have no idea what lies before us - the opportunities to simply trust God in each hour. The tendency is to orchestrate our lives in such a way that we often "think" we take it right out of the hands of The One Who goes before us. The way is indeed rough and rugged at times but when we trust God - as He goes before us - we need not overwork ourselves in worry and doubt. Oh my, how Joseph must have wondered what God was doing as he sat in that cold dark prison but he did not faint nor grow weary; he trust in The One Who is worthy of our trust. Let us never forget ... He goes before us!

Living Memorials

Of all the service-people we employ, I suggest the one who cuts-grooms-styles our hair tops the list! I've changed hair stylists [maybe] three times in the last fifty years, and don't care to change again. We learn to trust that she or he knows our hair and our preferences; furthermore, over time they become more like a friend or family. Psalm 92 is a beautiful and thought-provoking song about God's good and eternal goodness; it begins, "It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks fo the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night." (Psalm 92:1-2 AMP). Perhaps one of the most beneficial spiritual exercises is to live with an attitude of gratefulness. We tend to assume, which generally leads to grumbling when our expectations are dashed. Listen, however, to the way of those who remain focused on God's Goodness: "The righteous will flourish like the date palm [long-lived, upright and useful]; They will grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic and stable]. Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper in old age; they will flourish and be vital and fresh [rich in trust and love and contentment]; [they are living memorials] to declare that the LORD is upright and faithful [to His promises]." (Psalm 92:12-15 AMP). Recently, my stylist saw me out 'n about and she said "your hair looks great - thanks for making me look good." It made me consider what kind of "living memorial" am I of God and His Goodness? Do my words testify and point toward the faithfulness of God? Am I an example of one who is flourishing in vitality, fresh and growing in grace rather than withering and fading? God's children must proclaim His Goodness; we are His ... living memorials.

Treasure Him

Perhaps you've heard (or even said yourself) "I live for this," referring to something about which you are passionate - a particular season or activity, etc. Truth is, we hardly have to announce what captivates our minds, resources, time and energy - it plays-out in our choices and priorities. I sometimes cringe at what we as followers of Jesus don't live for ... Jesus Himself. Jesus said "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Luke 12:34, ESV). Perhaps the Body of Christ [as a whole] has lost Christ as Its supreme treasure. It is no small or casual thing to know Jesus as our Treasure; it requires great courage and discipline to commit to the depth of such devotion. Jesus said, "if anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24, ESV). My prayer is that Christ is my "I live for this" - that He be my greatest treasure. The All-Knowing, All-Sufficient, Eternal, Living Lord ... treasure Him!